Xi Jinping is emphasizing cooperation everywhere on his current European tour, and it is expected that he will push for this in Hungary as well.
Sinologist Gergely Salát told hirado.hu that "there has not been a Chinese president in Hungary for 20 years, so now Hungary is very 'out of sorts' for such a visit, especially because Hungary maintains the friendliest relationship with China in the EU."
The expert commented on the fact that Xi Jinping arrived in Budapest on Wednesday.
According to the university associate professor, all of this indicates Hungary's priority role for China within the EU, and this means an opportunity for the Chinese not only to give new impetus to the already rapidly developing relations with China covering all areas, but also in the European Union affairs at the meeting leaders can also exchange ideas on cooperation and EU-China relations.
Gergely Salat emphasized that the Chinese president's visit to Hungary is by no means merely symbolic.
According to the expert, the most spectacular part of the visit is when the contracts and agreements that have been recently negotiated are solemnly signed.
"However, it is more important than this that the leaders of the two states are expected to agree on investments, collaborations, and investments that can become realized projects in the next period," explained Gergely Salát.
According to the sinologist, these agreements for the future make the current meeting really important.
When asked how significant a business partner Hungary actually is for China, the expert answered: it can be said that it is more significant compared to its overall weight.
"For example, Hungarian-German investment relations are not reached by Hungarian-Chinese traffic. However, the CATL factory in Debrecen or the BYD factory in Szeged are also visible projects from China," he added.
Gergely Salát pointed out that BYD is a national pride in China, and Hungary will be the factory's first foreign plant. CATL dominates 37 percent of the world's battery production, so it is a very important player in this industry, explained the expert.
Hungary became China's fourth largest investment destination.
Gergely Salát also spoke about the fact that the bilateral relationship between Hungary and China has been developing very stably and very positively for more than a decade.
He reminded: this will be the seventh meeting of the two leaders, so they are not sitting down to negotiate as strangers. According to the China expert, Xi Jinping's visit to Hungary will rather strengthen the current direction.
Xi Jinping is emphasizing cooperation everywhere on his current European tour, and it is expected that he will push for this in Hungary as well. And here he will find understanding ears, that is, for the next few years, this will put the Chinese-Hungarian relations on track - highlighted Gergely Salat.
Cover photo: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (center right) welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping (center left) at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport on May 8, 2024.
Next to Xi Jinping, from the left, his wife Peng Liyuan can be seen Source: MTI/Prime Minister's Press Office/Benko Vivien Cher
